Bowling ball drilling method and apparatus



Oct. 31, 1967 TA 3,349,647

BOWLING BALL DRILLING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 31, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E K 52 /56 /2 HumMMMMMMMMMMM ill r l Q V 0 6 6 H 4 A 1 k I /62 I k 6 40 X 68 M5 /4 INVENTOR, LOU/S $74M,

I BY ATTOENE Y5.

' 3,349,647 BOWLING BALL DRILLING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. :51, 1965 L. J. STAN Oct. 3-1, 1967 3' Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl 6. a.

mVENToR- Oct. 31 1967 L. J. STAN 3,349,647

BOWLING BALL DRILLING METHOD AND APPARATUS I Filed Au 51, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 3 Fl 6. 5Q

INVENTOR. 400/5 $721 a l l QM 3,349,647 BOWLING BALL DRILLING METHOD AND APPARATUS Louis J. Stan, 24813 Ursuline, St. Clair Shores, Mich. 48080 Filed Aug. 31, 1965, Ser. No. 483,993 3 Claims. (Cl. 77-5) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus adapted for use in drilling finger holes in bowling balls and the like, the apparatus involving a work holder attached to a drill and having a pivotal cradle controlled by a reciprocal shaft, and means for controlling the movement of the shaft; and

A method of drilling a bowling ball to provide a lift opening therein wherein the ball is pivoted to alternative positions during the drilling operation.

ploy a ball as a part of the game apparatus. Bowling balls of one type are conventionally of solid, spherical form,

and have a plurality of grip holes therein-usually a thumb hole and two finger holes. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball of this type having holes therein of improved forms.

Another objective of primary importance herein resides in the provision of an improved support for the changeable-positioning of a substantially spherical object, in the form of work holder with variable work positions. A related advantage of the invention is to supply a work holder with suitable indicia to enable the operator to uniformly relate the workpieces supported therein to tool elements.

' Yet another object of the work holder is to provide a stable, trouble-free, and dependable clamping means for a spherical object which is quickly and readily opened and closed, and which requires'little or no adjustment in use. a

A further object is to provide a cutting bit particularly adapted to the formation of multi-linear gripping holes in bowling balls, or the like.

Otherand further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification, when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus employed in the drilling of a bowling ball in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the apparatus partly in cross-section along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus, partially broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the section line 4 -4 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a detail horizontal cross-section on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

United States Patent Ofilice 3,349,647 Patented Oct. 31, 1967 FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a portion of bowling ball, showing the completion of a first step in a method hereof;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, disclosing a second step; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURES 6 and 7, showing a modified method step employing the apparatus hereof in the drilling of a finger grip.

With more specific reference to the drawings, illustrated therein throughout the several views is apparatus 10 particularly adapted for carrying out a novel drilling method hereof, although the apparatus 10 is not limited to such use, and may be employed in other work holding and drilling operations. In FIGURE 1, the apparatus 10 is shown as used with a conventional drill press 12 which has a bed 14 on which is mounted a plate 1411 with a dovetail groove 16 therein, a standard 18, and a drill head assembly 20 arranged over the bed. The assembly 20 includes a chuck 22 and an operating handle 24 by means of which the chuck is raised and lowered with respect to the bed. Drill press 12 illustrated herein is conventional, and any suitable drilling means may be substituted therefor.

A special drill bit 26 is provided, however, and is mounted in the chuck 22, the bit 26 has a shank 28 enlarged at its connection end and having a plurality of lines 30 inscribed thereabout, comprising depth marking indicia, described in more detail below. The bit 26 has an enlarged cutting head 32 with annular lower cutting edges 34 and rounded upper cutting edges 36. The bit 26 is rotatable with the chuck 22 and vertically moveable therewith by movement of the handle 24.

The work holder hereof is generally designated in the drawings by reference numeral 38, and comprises a frame 40 with a flat, substantially rectangular base 42. The base 42 may be formed from upper and lower elements as shown, and the upper element has a lower surface 44 from which depends a dovetail element 46 received in a corresponding groove in the lower element, and the upper element also has an opposite upper surface 48. The lower element further has a dovetail element 46a (FIGURE 1) received in the slot 16 of the bed 14 and the bed has a screw operated positioning crank 50 (FIG. 4) effec tive to locate the base 42 in a desired position with respect to the drill. The base has a forward side 52, rear side 54 and ends 56, 58, as well as a peripheral edge 60.

Fixed to the upper surface 48 of the base 42 adjacent the ends 56, 58 thereof is a pair of opposite side plates 62, 64, each having a base flange 66 fixed to said surface. The side plates are thus arranged in upstanding position substantially at the opposite ends of the frame base. Each of the side plates includes an upper end section 68 having substantially co-axial openings formed therein for a purpose described below.

A ball supporting cradle means 72 is mounted between the side plates, and includes a substantially fiat, rectangular bottom wall 74 with upper and lower faces 76, 78 and front and rear sides 80, 82. The cradle further has side arms 84 and 86 secured to the bottom wall 74 by flanges 88 in substantially parallel relation to the side plates 62, 64, respectively, and the side arms have upper ends 90 with openings 92 therein substantially co-axial with the plate openings and with one another. Substantially cylindrical pivot axles 94 extend through the apertures 70 and 92 of the plates and arms 62, 84 and 64, .86, whereby the cradle is pivotally suspended between the side plates over the frame base 42, bushings 96 serving to space the arms and plates from one another.

The plate 62 has an indicator plate 98 with indicia 100 thereon fixed to its upper end 68 about the axle 94 and the adjacent arm 84 has an L-shaped pointer 102 located at substantially the center of its upper end and projecting thereabove. The pointer 102 is related to the indicator plate 98 in such manner as to provide a visual means for determining the inclination of the cradle with respect to the frame.

The cradle bottom wall 74 has a centrally located block 104 secured on its upper face 76, the block having a cupped detent 106 therein in which a bowling ball may be seated. In addition, a ball clamp assembly is supplied, including a pair of upstanding legs 108 secured at their lower ends 110 to the wall 74 adjacent its rear side 82 by connectors 112. The upper ends 114 of the legs 108 are bifurcated to pivotally support an outward arm 116 on a pin 118. An annular ring element 120 is carried on the arms 116 and has a downwardly flared interior wall 122 adapted to fit about a bowling ball. As will be clear, from the above, the ring 120 is swingable over the ball, or may be pivoted to an open position for removal of a ball from the device. Adjacent the forward side 80 of the bottom wall 74, a pivot mount 126 is secured which supports a generally upright, outwardly bent rod 128. The rod 128 has an axial bore 130 therein opening on its upper end 132 in which one end of a second rod 134 is slidably seated. The rod 134 has an inward extension 136 at its opposite end adapted to overlie the ring 120-the extension 136 having a vertical, threaded opening with a lock screw 138 disposed therein. The rods 134 and 128 are connected to one another by a toggle connection including links 140 pivotally secured to the rod 134 at pins 142, and to the forked ends 144 of a handle 146 at 148. With the handle in its upwardly disposed position, as shown in the drawings, the rods are effectively locked together, upward movement of the handle serving to exert a downward force on the rod 134. Downward movement of the handle 146 operates to release the toggle connection, permitting the rod to be extended and swung outwardly from clamping engagement with the ring. The screw 138 permits adjustment aiflepth for the accommodation of bowling balls of variant diameters.

Depending from the lower face 78 of the bottom wall 74 of the cradle is a pair of connection ears 149 each connected by a pin 150 to the outer ends 152 of one link 154 of a pair thereof. The ears are located adjacent the forward side 80 of the bottom wall, and a pair of fixed blocks 156 is secured to the base 42 in alignment with the space between the ears. The blocks have coaligned, threaded bores therein supporting an elongated screw shaft 158 having a threaded section between the blocks and an outwardly extended, unthreaded section 160 with an end 162. The shaft is extendable forwardly and rearwardly in the blocks responsive to rotation thereof, and carries, intermediate its ends, a collar 164. The links 154 are each pivoted to the collar 164 at their inner ends 166, and are connected to one another at their forward ends 152 by a cross-brace 168 (FIG. A handle 170 is secured to the end 162 of the shaft and a gear 172 is mounted adjacent thereto. As will be seen, forward and rearward movement of the shaft 158 and its collar 164 is effective to transmit controlled pivotal movement to the cradle 72, tilting the same about the axles 94.

To aid in holding the cradle in a desired pivotal position, a holding gear means is provided. Said means comprises a block 174 mounted on the base 42, having a threaded bore 176 formed therein through which a second screw shaft 178 extends. The shaft projects outwardly of the end of the base, and has an enlarged gear wheel 180 thereon in mesh with the smaller gear 172 of the shaft 158. A stabilizing bracket 182 may be supplied for the second shaft, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5.

Means is supplied to permit disengagement of gear wheel 180 from the gear 172. Such means comprises a collar 184 secured to the wheel 180 and having a lock screw 186 therein extending to a key way 188 on the screw shaft 178. By alternative loosing and tightening of the screw, it is possible to move the wheel 180 forwardly and rearwardly either into or out of engagement with the gear 172. Thus, where manual tilting of the cradle is desired, the gears are disengaged to permit such manual employment of the device.

The precise inclination of the cradle with respect to the frame is shown on the indicator plate 98 by the pointer 102.

In the use of the apparatus, the operator initially clamps a bowling ball B in the cradle and locks the same in place by employment of the ring and toggle connection therefor. The ball, it will be understood, has been premarked for drilling in accordance with the needs of a particular user.

In the drilling of a thumb hole, the operator dis-engages the gears 172 and 180. After the ball has been suitably marked for the location of the holes, it is clamped in the cradle by dropping the ring over the ball and the toggle clamp is engaged. The operator then drills the hole to a selected one of the lines on the shank 26 of the drill. The spindle is then locked and the operator turns the handle in a clockwise direction as seen in the drawing to a desired change in pitch shown on the indicator 98 by the pointer 102. When the desired change in pitch is reached, the lock on the spindle is released and the hole is drilled to a desired depth determined by a second selected line on the shank of the tool. The tool is then backed out and at the same time the handle 170 is turned in an opposite or counter clockwise direction. As this procedure is completed, the tool rounds off the back of the hole, the upper cutting edge 36 performing this rounding off procedure. This is illustrated in the drawing in FIGURE 8.

In drilling of finger holes, the operator engages the gears 172 and 180. After the ball has been marked for the desired location of the holes, it is clamped in the cradle as described above. A hole is then formed to a first selected line on the shank of the tool (the depth of selection being a matter of choice depending on the type of hole to be formed). The spindle is then locked and the handle 170 rotated in a clockwise direction to a desired change in pitch as shown on the indicator 98 by the pointer 102. The rotation of the handle 170 effects rotation of the gear 172 driving the gear in an opposite or counter clockwise direction turning the screw 178 in such manner as to draw the plate 38 containing the cradle involved in a forward direction feeding the ball into the drill for a deeper undercut or lift. When the desired change in pitch is reached, the lock on the spindle is released and the hole is drilled to a depth determined by a further marking 30 on the shank of the tool. The tool is then backed out, and at the same time handle 170 is turned in an opposite direction with the gear 172 driving the gear 180 in an opposite direction turning the screw and forcing the plate 38 to its original position. By this expedient, the tool has rounded off the back of the hole, the upper cutting edge 36 performing the rounding off procedure. The completed finger hole is shown in FIGURE 7.

While particular methods of use of the apparatus have been described, it will be understood that these methods are offered only by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Further, the illustration of a specific embodiment of the apparatus is for illustration purposes, and the invention should be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of drilling a multi-stage finger lift opening in a bowling ball in a continuous operation, the bowling ball being mounted in a cradle secured to a drilling device with a rotating drill bit therein, the drill bit having an enlarged head with upper and lower cutting edges, the method comprising the steps of:

pivoting the cradle and ball to a position wherein the drill is aligned with the ball at a non-radial first location;

simultaneously advancing the rotating drill into the ball to a first desired depth;

locking the drill against vertical movement while continuing the pivoting of the cradle and ball whereby the upper cutting edges form a first angle portion in the lift opening of the ball;

pivoting the cradle to a second non-radial angle obtusely related to the first non-radial angle while continuing the rotation of the drill thus to provide a second non-radial section of the lift opening;

advancing the rotating drill to a second depth;

pivoting the cradle to a position wherein the drill is substantially aligned with the radius of the ball While continuing rotation of the drill whereby the upper cutting edge forms a second angle portion;

inserting the rotating drill in the ball to a third selected depth; and

withdrawing the drill by reversal of the cradle positions while continuing the rotation of the drill.

2. Apparatus for drilling a finger grip hole in a bowling ball, the apparatus comprising:

a drill assembly including a support and a rotatable drill bit, the support and drill bit being arranged for relative reciprocatory movement;

an apparatus frame secured to the support of the drill assembly;

the apparatus frame including means for mounting a cradle therein;

a cradle pivotally mounted on said means;

means on the cradle for releasably engaging a bowling ball;

a reciprocal shaft connected to the cradle for effecting pivoting of the cradle;

handle means on the reciprocal shaft, and a gear adjacent the handle means; and

control means for the reciprocal shaft, the control means comprising a second shaft having a gear thereon normally meshed with the gear on the reciprocal shaft and being dis-engageable therefrom.

3. Apparatus for drilling a finger grip hole in a bowling ball, the apparatus comprising:

a drill press assembly including a bed, and a drill head arranged over the bed having a rotating chuck;

a drill bit mounted in the chuck, the bit having a shank with plural depth marking indicia thereon and an enlarged cutting head;

the bit having upper and lower cutting edges;

a frame mounted on the bed;

the frame including a base connected to the bed and opposite side plates secured to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom;

a cradle mounted between the side plates, the cradle including a bottom wall with upper and lower faces, and arms secured to bottom Walls;

pivot axles connecting the cradle arms to the frame side plates with the bottom wall spaced upwardly from the base;

a cupped ball engaging element secured to the upper face of the bottom wall;

connection ears depending from the lower face of the bottom wall;

a first pair of fixed blocks on the base beneath the bottom wall arranged in alignment with the connection ears, the blocks having co-axial openings therein;

a screw shaft engaged in the openings of the blocks for rotational movement, the screw shaft having an outer end;

a turning handle on the opposite end of the screw shaft and a gear mounted on the shaft adjacent the handle for rotation with the shaft;

a collar engaged on the shaft;

at least one link member having opposite ends, pivotally connected to the collar and the connection ears whereby the cradle is tilted with respect to the frame responsive to movement of the collar occasioned by rotation of the shaft;

a second block mounted on the base, the second block having an opening formed therein;

a second shaft, having an outer end portion mounted in the second block;

an enlarged gear wheel on the outer end of the second shaft in mesh with the gear of the first shaft; and

the cradle having a ball clamping assembly thereon including a pair of upstanding legs on the bottom wall, an annular skirt of a diameter to fit about and clamp a bowling ball, pivotally connected to the legs, and a releasable toggle clamp engaging the skirt and pivoted to the bottom wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 578,209 3/1897 Carlson -120 2,283,469 5/1942 Shepard 77-63 2,643,557 6/1953 Grove 77-63 2,879,679 3/1959 Neff 77-63 3,106,111 10/1963 Denisco 77-63 3,143,901 8/ 1964 Bawtinheimer 77-32.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 55,592 4/ 1911 Switzerland.

FRANCIS S. HUSAR, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF DRILLING A MULTI-STAGE FINGER LIFT OPENING IN A BOWLING BALL IN A CONTINUOUS OPERATION, THE BOWLING BALL BEING MOUNTED IN A CRADLE SECURED TO A DRILLING DEVICE WITH A ROTATING DRILL BIT THEREIN, THE DRILL BIT HAVING AN ENLARGED HEAD WITH UPPER AND LOWER CUTTING EDGES, THE METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PIVOTING THE CRADLE AND BALL TO A POSITION WHEREIN THE DRILL IS ALIGNED WITH THE BALL AT A NON-RADIAL FIRST LOCATION; SIMULTANEOUSLY ADVANCING THE ROTATING DRILL INTO THE BALL TO A FIRST DESIRED DEPTH; LOCKING THE DRILL AGAINST VERTICAL MOVEMENT WHILE CONTINUING THE PIVOTING OF THE CRADLE AND BALL WHEREBY THE UPPER CUTTING EDGES FORM A FIRST ANGLE PORTION IN THE LIFT OPENING OF THE BALL; PIVOTING THE CRADLE TO A SECOND NON-RADIAL ANGLE OBTUSELY RELATED TO THE FIRST NON-RADIAL ANGLE WHILE CONTINUING THE ROTATION OF THE DRILL THUS TO PROVIDE A SECOND NON-RADIAL SECTION OF THE LIFT OPENING; ADVANCING THE ROTATING DRILL TO A SECOND DEPTH; PIVOTING THE CRADLE TO A POSITION WHEREIN THE DRILL IS SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE RADIUS OF THE BALL WHILE CONTINUING ROTATION OF THE DRILL WHEREBY THE UPPER CUTTING EDGE FORMS A SECOND ANGLE PORTION; INSERTING THE ROTATING DRILL IN THE BALL TO A THIRD SELECTED DEPTH; AND WITHDRAWING THE DRILL BY REVERSAL OF THE CRADLE POSITIONS WHILE CONTINUING THE ROTATION OF THE DRILL. 